Lawyer alleges police brutality in Delhi gang-rape case

Indian police personnel guide a prisoner transport vehicle at an entrance to the Saket District Court in New Delhi onThursday prior to the hearing of a gang rape and murder case. A defence lawyer accused Indian police on Thursday of beating confessions out of five men charged with murdering and gang-raping a student in New Delhi, as they were due to appear in court again. -- PHOTO: AFP

NEW DELHI (AFP) - A defence lawyer accused Indian police on Thursday of beating confessions out of five men charged with murdering and gang-raping a student in New Delhi, as they were due to appear in court again.

Speaking before a hearing at which a magistrate is expected to transfer the case to a fast-track court, Mr M.L. Sharma told AFP that his clients had been beaten while in custody and were innocent of the charges.

A spokesman for Delhi police refused to comment on the allegations.

Mr Sharma is defending three of the five adult defendants. The three are expected to plead not guilty to a string of charges over the brutal attack on a moving bus on December 16 which sparked mass protests across India.